DIA

I'm currently writing from the Denver International Airport. I think it's pretty fabulous that they have free wireless. The marketing degree [I get to say that now!] in me is very impressed with this airport. The best thus far have been the free wireless [with 30 second verizon commercial] and visually appealing security trays [thanks to zappos.com]. Again, very impressive.

I've spent the last 6 days in Copper Mountain preparing for a year abroad. There is so much to learn about being a missionary overseas... loving the Lord, loving my team, launching movements, and learning a new world. These 4 L's will basically define the next 12 months of my life. There are many things to appreciate about Campus Crusade, one of which is their passion for setting us up well. I love how invested they are in our ministry.

3 1/2 weeks from now, my team will be flying to Florence. If you had 3 1/2 weeks left in America what would you make sure to do? I'm planning on figuring out how to get the airlines to allow me at least 23 bags.

Colorado Bound.

So I feel like I've been a complete maniac lately. I don't know if it's the thought of moving to an entirely new country, finishing up raising support, Olympic fever, or a bevy of other viable reasons. Whatever it is, I am a maniac.

First off, I want to tell you that I am currently $4700 away from attaining my support goal and being fully funded for an entire year of ministry in Florence, Italy. Praise the Lord. There have been many points along the way in which it seemed entirely impossible. So to be in the home stretch is mind-blowing to me. I love the faithfulness of the Lord. Why does it continue to surprise me?

Secondly, I fly out of here tomorrow- I'm Colorado bound. For the next 6 days, I will be at the Worldwide Student Network Global Briefing. I am going to be learning and sharing alongside people heading to spots all across the Globe. That is exciting. In the meantime, I'm unpacking boxes of winter clothes, looking for my fleece, and washing socks... hello 60 degree days. I hope to come back with an even greater vision of what the Lord is doing across the world.

Lastly, if you haven't heard, I completed one of my life goals about two weeks ago. Yes, I, Melody Marie was a flowergirl... at the age of 22. Fabulous.

Life Takes Visa.

This past Sunday, my new STINT buddy, Abigail, and I went in search of a visa to last us through our year in Italy. This adventure included flying to Orlando, acquiring a Florida driver's license, visiting Campus Crusade for Christ International Headquarters, driving to Miami, applying at the Italian Consulate, and flying out of Ft. Lauderdale.

That is the trip in bullet form- or at least what it was supposed to look like. We added in a few crazy details all along the way, and are praying that Fabio [yes, seriously] at the Consulate approves our visa and actually mails us back all those precious legal documents we left in his care.

It was exciting to even be in the Consulate... exciting to hear others speaking Italian... exciting to meet students going to other areas of Italy to spread the Gospel... exciting.

But nothing can peg an excitement meter quite like a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth. Yes, college graduates can still get VERY excited about-the MAGIC KINGDOM.

what's your favorite flavor?

if i had to pick the very best thing about summer, it would be snow cones.

so in order to determine the best of the best, kristin and i have decided to try every snow cone stand in the edmond/okc area... a very great task indeed, but i believe we're up for it.

the stands will be judged based on differing categories: ice, variety of flavors, service, and syrup to ice ratio. bonus points are also awarded for various reasons.

clearly, our first random inspection was awarded a bonus point for their delicious gummy bears.

the importance of music to girls.

i recently finished a book by this title. i was browsing in the library when i was struck by the title: the importance of music to girls.

music has always been vastly important to me. as a girl, i dreamed to one day be in the music industry- not as a performer, but as the face behind the label. that later turned into a litigator behind the label. but here i am, just a few years later- a missionary. perhaps one day the Lord will bring me back to nashville or los angeles.

but i digress. back to the book. i checked it out and dove straight in, only to discover that this book was actually a memoir. lavinia greenlaw's coming of age. i am definitely not a memoir reading kind of girl- i'm always looking for a story to feel a part of- biographies have never been my thing. but as soon as started into this one, i felt like i had written it. the writing style, the emphasis on lyrics and eras of music, it felt like talking to a best friend- the kind that speaks your language.

i just got off the phone with two of my friends who are spending five weeks in florence this summer with campus crusade.

i am reminded of how thankful i am for passions... and for friends that understand them.

transitions.

at the beginning of my senior year, i began a new journal. i have a passion for journaling- for me, there's no better outlet. but one of my favorite things about journals is naming them. this last one, i named 'transitions'.

it seemed so fitting- going into my senior year. i expected to be transitioning out of college, out of life as i'd always known it, and into a career that i had yet to discover. i really had no idea what would actually happen. that's my other favorite thing about journals- they always surprise you.

i'm currently raising support to go to italy with campus crusade for christ. when meeting with people i often tell them how i never, ever saw myself going into full-time ministry. and that is so true. i never saw that one coming. but that's one of my favorite things about the Lord. unlike my journals, He is never surprised.

whole new world.

get ready. here i come.